It may not have been bright, but it was certainly early as teams of spirited property professionals gathered at Fairlop Waters on Sunday 18 May for the third annual Agents Giving Dragon Boat Race. Among the 10 teams competing, two flew the Propertymark flag: the Propertymark Green Dragons and the Propertymark Trust. Each boat was crewed by a mix of staff, volunteers, member agents, and supportive friends and family.

The UK Government has called on private landlords for help as part of a growing housing scheme led by outsourcing giant Serco, which manages asylum housing contracts for the Home Office across the Midlands, the North West, and the East of England. Reaction from the sector has been mixed, with stakeholders highlighting the wider context of rental market challenges, including legislative pressures and growing financial risks for landlords.

The £77 million investment in flood protection for 2025-26, is aimed at safeguarding communities from the increasing threat of climate change. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS unveiled the plans in the Senedd, emphasising that the funding comes at a crucial time following severe storms that affected hundreds of properties across Wales.

Support from CRM suppliers across the UK has enabled estate agents to donate any orphaned funds to charitable causes. The Propertymark Trust announced this significant partnership to utilise unclaimed money into contributions to benefit communities across the UK.

To represent Propertymark members’ views and the property sector to ensure their voices are heard, we interpret key policy developments and lobby for change. Working with members, we research and survey to develop evidence-based arguments to campaign for policy change across the devolved nations on issues, including supply of property, tenancy management, economic crime, property taxation, enforcement, material information, and welfare reform.

Homefinder UK is a non-profit national mobility scheme whose mission is to provide better move-on alternatives for families in desperate need of housing. The people they help to house include victims of domestic violence and abuse as well as others genuinely in need of a safe and secure home.

Communities impacted in England by recent flooding will benefit from thousands of pounds of UK Government funding and the Welsh Government is combatting flood risk with a £4.6m programme for rural catchments.

The UK Government has appointed an independent Older People’s Housing Taskforce to look at options for the provision of greater choice, quality and security of housing in England and has opened a call for evidence to provide recommendations to shape the future.

The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS) comes into effect on 1 August 2023 to give free legal advice, and representation in court, regardless of financial circumstances for anyone at risk of losing their home.

The UK Government, in acknowledging customers who do not have a direct relationship with a domestic electricity supplier, has announced £400 support with an online application for eligible households to be open in January 2023.

Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, has introduced a new scheme that will see energy prices for non-domestic customers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland cut, which is equivalent and in addition to the Energy Price Guarantee for households.

Landlords across the UK will be able to apply for 75 per cent of the cost of charging points up to £350 where they own parking areas but must be VAT registered or registered at Companies House to be eligible.

Propertymark has enhanced FAQs on the Homes for Ukraine scheme in response to enquiries about accommodating refugees to assist lettings agents advise their landlords and tenants.

On 14 March 2022, the UK Government announced that UK individuals, charities, community groups and businesses can record their interest in supporting Ukrainians fleeing the war through the UK Government’s new Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published updates to their guidance for people across the UK, who intend to offer accommodation to those fleeing war in Ukraine.

Propertymark is amongst several property organisations supporting cross-sector fundraising to provide humanitarian relief to Ukraine.